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Locals see off ENMU president with gifts, memories

PORTALES — Gift certificates to area restaurants, a chair engraved with his name, a Japanese sword — those were a few of the gifts presented to Eastern New Mexico University President Steven Gamble at his retirement reception Thursday.

Gamble, however, said he most valued the support from the community and the university over his 16 years at ENMU.

Gamble credited the success of the university in his time mostly to others, but he made two exceptions.

"I will admit to doing two things at this school really, really well. One is I really have worked hard. That much I'll admit to. Secondly, I really have been able to employ good people. That's what got the job done," he said.

Vice President of Academic Affairs Jamie Laurenz resided over the reception, wherein community members and university faculty presented gifts to Gamble.

Laurenz noted Gamble's significant contributions to ENMU — including a 68 percent increase in headcount and a 150 percent increase in degrees awarded — but highlighted how humble he remained through it all.

"If you ask Dr. Gamble about these successes, he will talk about the people involved, the events, the circumstances that made it possible, but what you won't hear is the word 'I,'" he said. "And the significance of that fact, I think, is unappreciated."

Portales Mayor Sharon King, speaking on behalf of the Roosevelt County Community Development Corp., recalled a story about Gamble from her time working as his special assistant.

King received a call from Gamble, who was visiting Roswell at the time, shortly after he became president. Gamble missed an exit on his way home and had ended up in Vaughn.

"Vaughn's about 130 miles from here. I said, 'Well, I'll call everybody and let them know we're gonna be late.' He said, 'No, I think I can make it.' He did," she said. "I made a note to myself right then, 'Never ride in the car with Dr. Gamble."

ENMU Foundation President Steve Doerr put Gamble's contributions to the lives of ENMU and Portales into perspective before presenting him with a custom chair.

"If the true measure of a man's character is how he has helped to better the lives of others, Steve, you are truly a giant among men. As president of Eastern New Mexico over the past 16 years, you have improved the campus here at Eastern, and the quality of the educational experience for all who have attended Eastern," he said.